The head of athletics for D.C. Public Schools resigned on Friday, The Washington Examiner has learned.
Marcus Ellis, the director of athletics, informed colleagues by email on Friday. “It has been truly great to work with you all in this capacity over the past 2 years,” Ellis wrote, adding that he is “very proud of the work that has been done.”
Ellis, 34, was “not in the plans” of recently-confirmed Chancellor Kaya Henderson, the Post has reported.
Losing its own director is the latest of several murky incidents surrounding DCPS athletics this year. The Washington Examiner first reported that high schools had not received their budgets for the school year as late as March, and several coaches and school athletic directors had not been paid since 2009.
The school system’s athletics department was set to receive a 28 percent budget cut in the upcoming school year, but an anonymous donor pledged $1.5 million to save school sports. When DCPS declined to publicize the donation, parents were confused and annoyed that they spent time fighting a problem that had already been solved.
Still, at many District high schools the sports programs are viewed among their top offerings.
Read the full email from Ellis below:
I wanted to inform you that as of today I will officially be resigning from the position of Director of Athletics for DCPS. It has been truly great to work with you all in this capacity over the past 2 years. The DCIAA is in a great place and I am very proud of the work that has been done. I truly do appreciate all the support you have offered during my time in this position. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Thank you,
Marcus T. Ellis
